I Take Joy | Prayer

Wonderful Nathan, chasing God in a world that longs for light

August 15, 2012 by Sally 13 Comments

A REAL LIFE STORY OF GOD WORKING THROUGH A MAN WITH DREAMS

But He [Jesus] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. -2 Cor. 12:9

As long as I can remember, Nathan, my 19 year old son, (now 23!) has been acting. He would listen to me read stories of heroes and adventure, and then he would don the bright blue cape I had made him from a yard of material. He would become that hero. Superman was the most prominent of stories that he heard somewhere along the way. “Mom,” he would say, “Superman is like Jesus. He came from a far off place to redeem the world and get rid of all of its bad people and rescue those who needed help. I want to be a superman someday.”

Nathan would garnish his sword and wield it high, and act out and dramatically host radio dramas, and dream of his valiant stories of heroism. As the years progressed, he and I would still cuddle close and become captivated in tales of great people and those who shaped history. Stories of those who fought off the darkness and brought light, were his favorite. Nate started foraying out into the world of teenagers. There were some bumpy roads along the idealistic pathways through teenage-hood, but as he grew, he continued to stretch in his desire to reach those who needed light and the goodness of God. My pied-piper, charming son developed many friends.

Hungry for direction, affirmation and in need of light, redemption and restoration, many flocked to our home because of him. “Mom,” he would say, “I want to be a light and I am praying for God to open doors in music or acting or performance of some kind.” He pursued shining that light in the darkness of many lost friends. Nate practiced making wise decisions and grew from inevitable mistakes. Mounting up experience in faithfulness and faith, even amidst the difficult pressures he was facing, stretched and shaped his soul to become more like Jesus. Dreaming of a time when God would open doors, he worked as a pizza delivery guy, very shortly as a Starbucks barrista and saving money at a landscaping job every day. So for two years, he has prayed and waited and worked. Often, I wondered how realistic it was, and supposed perhaps his dreams would fade away. Late night discussions were filled with hopes and dreams and the sharing of hearts.

And so we prayed with him, that God would open doors. Nate stayed unflinchingly strong. “God will open his doors in His time, Mom.” I kept praying for God’s will in the life of this idealistic young man, but couldn’t imagine just how it would happen. We live in Colorado, not exactly the mecca of the music industry or the movie and television capitol of the world.It seemed I knew hundreds of youth who had such dreams, and yet he was my son, so I prayed because he wanted us to and because he prayed.

When I prayed, I was confronted with fears— the terrible secularism and garbage of the media. It wasn’t the place Clay and I had dreamed of sending our children. But we kept praying and Nate kept praying and telling us that He knew God would open a door.

So, in April, in the midst of too many activities and responsibilities. two different friends called me and told me about a national Christian group who was auditioning local talent. I didn’t follow up because it was just a commercial on a Christian radio station and I thought it was probably just a way for an agency to make money on all the “want-to-be’s” who were hopefuls for the acting and music industry. But, both of my friends who had been praying with me for Nathan, called three times, unbeknownst to each other! Finally, one morning, my friend called and said, “Sally, it’s on the radio in 5 minutes. You need to listen to the interview and decide for yourself–after all, Nathan has been praying for 2 years for God to open the doors.

So, I went to my car to listen, since I couldn’t get my indoor radio to work! After listening to the interview with the leaders of the organization, I decided that it couldn’t hurt to audition. So, off we went where Nate had to prepare a monologue and have an interview. After the audition, we were invited to a national conference in Orlando where 890 talented people from 4–65 would be showcased before agents, casting directors, music companies and other industry leaders. No smoking, drinking or immodest clothing allowed at the conference. Clay and I made a step of faith to support Nathan in this endeavor because of his faithfulness to us and to the Lord.

After 12 weeks of input and training, we flew to Orlando. Morning, noon and night, people competed-while all the parents supported and prayed and hoped for a good outcome for their children. Nathan was particularly excited about the Monologue competition and the singer-songwriter competition, though he participated in 9 all together. (he had never had more than 3 months of piano so I knew he was depending on his own faith in his internal confidence in the song he would sing and play on piano!)

By God’s grace Nate made the showcase talent show where just 40 were presented–dancers, models, singers and actors. This meant that about 90 leaders in the industry got to see these contestants one extra time. I was on pins and needles as Nate got up to perform his song in front of 1800 people . He sang from the bottom of his heart with poise and confidence I can say only came from his trust in the Lord’s strength.

Lots more to tell, but the bottom line is: he received a scholarship to the school in New York he was hoping to attend; he was approached by 5 other large industry agencies who want to give their execs a chance to hear his music and two agencies who want to represent him for possible jobs in acting, modeling and performing that will come up in New York. And, a godly young man, who is very well known in his field and established in the industry, approached Nathan to be a part of a discipleship group he was starting in the fall for young men to have a witness together in the industry in New York. Now, we are home and trying to figure out how to move Nate there by September and Joel to Nashville and Clay and I both writing a book and speaking in Canada and feed everyone and attend Joy’s performance from a drama camp and take care of the medical issues and and and you know the story! But I am so grateful that there are open doors after waiting and believing with our sweet third child.

So, I learned that it is not just my prayers the Lord hears, but always the fervent prayers and hopes of my sweet children. Nate acted as though he was not surprised at all. “Mom, there needs to be light in the industry. I have been praying every day for God to open doors. And He did! I am so grateful for the amazing things God did. But I was always leaning on him and trusting in His power!”

So, now, one more faith step as we send him off to New York in September. Please pray for Nate if he comes to mind. I know the Lord will be with him in his Babylon as He was with Daniel. I hope and pray my sweet son will make Daniel choices.

***********************************************************************

I wrote this story several years ago. As many of you know, since then, Nathan wrote a book about his time in New York City where God met him, amidst all the glitz and glitter. Wisdom Chasers, where God whispered in his ear to follow hard after him through all the pathways He would lead Nathan, is filled with personal stories of his journey of faith as a young man.

The years have matured him, taught him to become a warrior in a place of much spiritual and moral battle, and the discipline in endurance in pursuing the dreams God put on his heart. As a mom, I would seek God and pray so very often for him. I had a choice to make–to believe in his dreams and to support this impossible pursuit or to tell him to live a more practical life.

But our home has been founded on the idea that God uses normal people who are filled with His Spirit, to bring his kingdom messages and light into all realms of the world. And so, I have become an advocate for Nathan–both before the throne of heaven and in daily life through phone calls, emails, visits and words of life. I believe that as Nathan walks with God and follows hard after Him, that God will use this talented young man in ways beyond my imagination. I am so very proud of Nathan staying strong, working hard and pursuing His God on a journey of faith.

In the past years, He became one of the head marketers for Dolphin Tale. God also opened doors for him to be in a variety of television shows, commercials, and movies and as an extra and with small parts. Cultivating faithfulness took him in so many directions, including becoming an blogger, writing music, cultivating friends and Bible study through his church and he continues to see God open doors.

Will you be so kind and generous as to pray blessing and open doors and God’s favor on my wonderful Nathan, as he continues to seek open doors where he might develop a testimony of God’s story in and through his life to those who are hungry and longing for a light in the darkness. I thank you with all of my heart because he is in a very challenging place, but his faith and hope send him daily to trust God and to continue to wait on His timing and blessing as he develops messages and works on books, music, messages and dreams.

So many of you have written of how his book encouraged you and your husbands and teens! Thanks for your kind letters. You may buy it here and know that you are helping support the dreams and work of this wonderful man, my sweet superman, dreaming son, Nathan! Thanks for praying for him!

Now, I will spend just a few more minutes tonight talking to God about Nathan, as he is freshly on my heart and since I cannot hug him, I will do the next best thing………

Filed Under: Family, Our Family, Parenting, Prayer

Saturday moments: Awhirl with life and thoughts

March 19, 2011 by Sally 8 Comments

up at 4:21 and could not sleep.

Quiet time by candlelight, so as not to awaken Clay with the light of the living room reflecting in His eyes through our bedroom door.

Concentrating, meditating on the Lord who is with me (I will be with you always, the Lord who lives to make intercession for us; I have loved you with an everlasting love.) Letting His love fill my heart. Looking at the lovely soft candle-light and remembering Him as the light of the world–asking to let His light shine into my heart.

Reading: “Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1

I am a tangle of emotion. Sadness is deep inside for things lonely and unanswered. My heart seeks that place of contentment for now, as I want Him to know my gratefulness for all He has answered and all He has been to me over the years. I spend time worshipping Him.

Going early with Sarah for coffee before she and Joy go to play rehearsal for our church’s Easter production.

Eating homemade granola for breakfast (3 + cups organic whole oats, 3/4 cup slivered almonds, 3/4 cup pecans, 1/4 cup maple syrup and oil, a sprinkle of brown sugar to taste 1/4 to 1/2 cup, a teaspoon of salt, cranberries or apricots or raisins and baked for 1 hour, 15 minutes at 250 degrees–stirring every 15 minutes) with Greek Yoghurt.

Making Cottage pies and soda bread for Joy’s belated St. Patrick’s Day party at our home tonight. Putting together another car scavenger hunt for teams of friends based on Ireland and Patrick and celtic folklore, a quiz about famous Irish people and history and games.

Joel, music and creativity bubbling up all over.

Reserving seats on a plane for Joy and me to fly to Boston to see Joel honored in his concert in Boston. How did my dear little boy, gentle Joel, who would squish next to me in my overstuffed chair in the mornings, with his knees folded in front of him, tall up to his chin and tee shirt pulled over to his ankles, saying, “Mama, let’s be close and talk,” grow up to become the composer of the year with two other men, with professional musicians performing his string quartet and 4 movements of a piece, in a live concert, and so very sophisticated and confident? He makes me so very delighted inside and brings smiles to me over the phone. Such a loyal, encouraging companion, so thoughtful, full of integrity. Such potential lies in the depths of these precious ones entrusted into our hands. Music and graciousness always flowed out of his soul, but I could never have imagined….

Reviewing and reading several chapters of Clay’s newest version of Educating the Whole Hearted Child today, as he wrapped it up yesterday. Observing what an insightful writer he is of life-changing ideas. Pondering the ideals we embarked upon 27 years ago, the first time we spoke about homeschooling to any parents. Seeing the fruit after all these years–that what we gave our lives to was true after all–and to see His hand of faithfulness and grace through the seasons, as I reread and ponder our shared ideals and dreams so long ago launched in faith. (out May 1!)

Knowing there will be a couple of cups of tea or coffee tucked into my moments and maybe even a nap, since getting up at 4:21 may not take me through the day.

I must write Him a thank you note from my heart. Grateful for His faithfulness, His strength and joy in the midst of each step of our journey. Acknowledging His call to remain faithful today, and each day ahead, only by His empowering to keep going. Looking this day for the fingerprints of His present love. Seeking to love Him back.

Filed Under: Beauty, Children, Ponderings, Prayer, Trust in God

The Best Gift I Can Give

December 16, 2010 by Sally 7 Comments

Investing in your children for eternity ~ prayer
George Romney ~ Lady Hamilton praying

“The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,

and His ears are attentive to their cries.” Psalm 34:15

Babies are dependent on us for our very existence–our milk, our protection, our love and words and care, daily, every moment. When they cry, we, like God, are attentive and respond. It is the way we know their needs.When we respond to them with tenderness and an overflowing of our love, deep in their beings, they begin to understand that God is one who responds to their cries.

God has designed them to be fragile so that we can put an imprint of God’s very hands and love and grace into the molding places of their hearts and minds, so that in “feeling” our love, they become predisposed to know and believe in His love and touch when they hear the stories of Him. Our constant service to them and pouring out of our lives when they are tiny, become a familiar pattern to their brains to understand His generous love, sacrifice and redemption.

But as our children grow, they become more able to stand on their own feet, to think for themselves, to begin making decisions that will have consequences. When we are young and our children are young, we have some sense that we are in control of their lives–that what we do and how we control them will determine what they will become.

However, the older my children become, I realize that apart from God’s working deep in their souls, they will not follow His course of righteousness. I cannot control their lives, circumstances, or inform their decisions. There is a dark world of temptation, idolatry, despair, immorality at calling to them at every point. But I am not left helpless or hopeless. I can have a big impact on their lives and can help shoulder their burdens every day.

Over the years, I slowly grew into an understanding that unless the Lord stirs their hearts, quickens their minds to the scripture they have learned to love in my home, they will be sorely tempted to go the way of the world. And so, now, though I am in constant communication with my older children and encouraging and listening, I know that my biggest work in their lives will be before the throne of God.

Even as I see Jesus so often praying the whole night, and read that He prayed for Peter, and look at the loving, tender words of prayer in John 17, I know, too that I must model my life after His. The real work in my children’s souls, the fingertips that will mold and shape their hearts, is that of the Holy Spirit. My work is to mysteriously engage with Him before God’s throne, and it is there that the life of my children will bloom afresh. I share with you a small portion from one of my books:

The more time I spend with my Father in prayer, the better prepared I will be to help my children. And even more important, the more I can rest in the Lord knowing, by faith, that my children are in his hands. When I can trust in God’s providence, draw upon his grace, join in the spiritual battle through prayer, and praise his name, all the other things I do as a mother seem to pale in significance. The more I grow as a mother, the more I grow convinced that the most important impact I will ever have on my children will be through my prayers for them. ~ Seasons of a Mother’s Heart p. 201

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22

What are you praying for your children? Write down one thing for each child and commit to approaching God’s throne in confidence daily until Christmas Day. May the Lord bless you as you give your children the best gift ever ~ your prayers!

Filed Under: Family, Mothering, Prayer, Trust in God

Dark mists, a violent storm, and a shadowy figure

October 29, 2010 by Sally 8 Comments

Savrasov Pascher Monastery 1871

“He lives always to intercede for us.” Hebrews 7:25

Sitting in our pj’s and chatting for too long, left me with little time for a quiet time this morning. I felt a need to have just a moment of peace with the Lord, so I picked up my Celtic prayer book, knowing there would be scripture, a short encouragement that would at least put my soul in the presence of God, as I readied myself to hurry off to my activities for the day. Little did I know that those 5 minutes would comfort me all day, and meet me at my point of need at this very juncture in my life.

Seems two men sought wisdom from an educated, old monk who was reputed to be a man of great character and distinguished in his devotion to scripture. Arriving at the sea coast town, they left their ship and climbed the long hill to the monastery. Several days were invested in revealing spiritual conversations , ponderings about God’s nature and presence, and the essence of true spirituality. With full souls, they bid farewell to the wizened old monk and walked toward the ship that would take them back home. With hearts overflowing, they gratefully planned how they would apply such wisdom in their daily lives in their home town.

Almost as soon as the giant ship left the small port, a raging storm gathered and lightening crashed about with thunder filling the air, and the ship swayed back and forth, the captain straining to keep it afloat amidst the crashing waves. In terror, the two men came aboard to access the danger. Peering through the dark, blowing mists, searching for the lights of home fires burning near the shore, they saw a shadowy figure emerge from the door of the monastery. Almost as soon as the figure appeared, they noticed it was the old monk, looking out upon the ship at sea, and that he fell to the soaking ground on knees and began, in a posture of prayer, calling out to God passionately.

After a very short interlude, the sea momentarily softened its rage and gave way to a semi-clear pathway so that the ship could secure a way to come back to the safety of the port. The monk, it seems had dedicated his heart and strength and devoted cries to God for the safety of those who had so recently been in his charge.

Somehow this story has been with me all day. It seems such a gracious picture of the sanctified old monk, not just being a person of the Word, but a man of His way–calling out before the throne of heave for those entrusted to his charge. This a picture to me, as I seek to be such a saint for my children and husband.

They, in the storms of their lives, are beyond my control, but not beyond the help and counsel of my Father and God. But as I witness these storms and see the seas of tempest surrounding them, I, too, have access to the throne of God. Perhaps, I will be their comfort to help them be brave as the shadowy figure was for the two men in the story. I battling on their behalf, that in their storms, they might feel the grace of God, find the strength of God to save them, and know the comfort of God’s presence right where they are.

And then I read, in Hebrews. He, my Lord and savior, even as a priest before the throne of God, like the old monk, lives to make intercession for me, His child. So thankful for this picture today as I face my own storms of life. And so very strengthened to be the prayer warrior as one son faces the demons of Hollywood, the other the liberal philosophy in Boston, and my two girls–one learning to drive on the freeway, and the other making big decisions, need me to stay before the throne for them. God has access to their brains and consciences. He will whisper His truth and wisdom into their lives. Somehow, mysteriously, I can help them by battling in the heavenlies as their prayer warrior and devoted mother, even as the monk did for those beloved of his–even as Jesus is so willing to do for me.

Filed Under: Joyful Life, Lifegiver, Mothering, Prayer, Trust in God

Finding a song to sing over the dirty dishes of life and a giveaway!

July 29, 2010 by Sally 8 Comments

Sweet delight swept into my heart, as Sarah and I sat close on the couch pouring over an old Victoria magazine. While sipping steaming china cups of tea, we thoroughly delighted in the beauty and color of green, rose-covered English countryside that bespoke of our memories from past wanderings there. Too long it has been since we have had such a carefree moment of peace, fun, friendship and celebrating life together. My friends who know me over the years may think that all I do is drink tea with friends–it is such an anchor in some of my days–but this stopping with my oldest beloved treasure was a rare treat, but greatly treasured.

I wish I could stay there in those happy moments. I wish they lasted longer. I am a Pollyanna at heart and wish all of my moments were just happy and uncomplicated. When I have my quiet times, in a hushed house, only the snore of my fat, soft golden retriever filling the air, but God is with me and soothing my heart. When I am reading His word and hearing His voice, I think all things are possible and my faith seems strong. Sitting on my deck while the pinks of the summer sunset washes over us in the cool shadows, then I feel and see Beauty for what it really is. Oh to stay in these places.

But by morning, the sink of life is piled again–yet again–with dirty dishes to be done. Dirty dishes are a never ending pile in my life because everyone insists on eating and drinking at least 3 times a day–and so are the stresses of life like those dirty dishes that won’t go away. Bills, a child’s parking ticket, illness, the dog throwing up on our new carpet, husbands pouring out stress attitudes from their jobs, children rolling their eyes or having one more bad attitude, and always more financial issues–doctor’s appointments, cars, computers, and on and on.

One of my sweetest provisions this summer is having a friend who prays with me every day–we are believing that when we pray together and dedicate our days to the Lord, He is in our midst and He really will change history through our prayers.

This morning, we were talking about these dirty dishes of life–hers and mine. She said, “You know, God doesn’t want us to yell at the dishes or complain about them or cry over them or throw them across the room–he just wants us to take them in course, deal with them and move on–and maybe even decide to have a good attitude about them every day in the dailyness of it all.

Just happened that in my quiet time today, I was reading about Moses and about Abraham–each of them, in the dirt, right where they were living, were approached by God. Both of them responded by making an altar, and praised His name–right there where they were, the sandy, weed-filled, spider ridden piles upon which their thongs trod–these places became an altar, a place of worship.

So, as I faced my sink this morning, and also the dirty dishes of my life, I turned on one of Joel’s cd’s and danced and sang and made this place where I am standing an altar of my own praise, a place of worship and grace.

Enjoy! This song is one of the new songs my sweet Joel composed for his new album. I will be giving some away next week! Enjoy.

01 I Saw Through The Eyes Of My Eyes 1

I See Through the Eyes of My Eyes

PS The Heart of the Matter online conference is coming up soon and I will be speaking on my book, “The Ministry of Motherhood” about setting up an intentional plan for discipling your children. I am so excited that I will be speaking at this conference, click the button to take a look:

I will be giving away 5 tickets to this conference–if you want to be entered, link my blog to your facebook or blog and let admin@wholeheart.org know for your entry!

Filed Under: Beauty, Music, Our Family, Ponderings, Prayer

Pray and see what God does! You tube!

July 25, 2010 by Sally 6 Comments

Thanks for everyone who has sent emails or commented or who is praying. I will do the 24 Family Ways giveaway later on Monday, but until then, please let me hear from you and let’s join in prayer together.

As I mentioned earlier in the summer, I was on a quest to refresh my soul this summer, as I am constantly giving out. One of my friends suggested I read Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. I so enjoyed this book and it began a desire in my heart to call out women to begin prayer chains, groups, pray with their children, pray in families, pray in groups.

Seems we have seen a lot of impotence in the lives of believers. We have allowed immorality to take over, we have not sought God or lived Holy lives. I know that many go to church and many give sacrificially. But so many wonderful women in my life seem to feel discouraged, overwhelmed and burdened. I know it is a fallen world and we will have lots of difficulty as this is the fallen place.

But I believe God wants to do a great work in our time. I have seen that when people pray and read the word and worship intentionally, the Holy Spirit seems to sweep across the lands and brings about major revival.

What if we could see amazing things happen all over the world because of a wave of women joining to hold fast in prayer, engaging their hearts in God’s word, and stepping out boldly in faith. I have seen the Lord do so much more in my lifetime than I would ever have thought possible. He is looking to strongly support that heart that is enthusiastically responding to His word and love in the private, unseen room in their home or apartment. Right where you are, where no one else can see, God can see you and is committed to responding to your faith and love for Him.

God wants to respond and He wants to bless. He delights in doing supernatural works through normal people like you and me–the little boy with the fish and loaves; David and the giant; Joshua and the trumpets; Gideon against the Mideonites and so many more stories. I really want to be one of those who said, “In my lifetime, use me Lord to bring as many thousands as you would allow, to commit their lives to you, to love you, to live boldly for your kingdom. Please fan the flames in my children’s lives to live boldly for you, that they may be your warriors for your kingdom in this time of history. Let them be faithful until they see you face to face.

Will you join me in praying and asking God to pour out His spirit and grace. And then will you boldly step out in faith, right where you are–to share with others, to be God’s hands and voice and love to those He brings your way?

Lets have big hearts for a wonderful God and bring His light and life and kingdom to bear on our lives and in the lives of others. May He bless you today.

Filed Under: Prayer, Reading, Reviews, Trust in God

Please pray with us and pass it on!

July 22, 2010 by Sally 15 Comments

^{Dear Wonderful friends,

This is not a typical blog post for me, but so many have written to us this summer asking how they can help in our ministry and so I thought I would include a prayer letter that we are sending out to friends of Whole Heart/Mom Heart Ministries. I just wanted to include my blog readers in what is on my heart.

I know this letter is long, but I would humbly ask you to finish it, as I think we are about to see the Lord do amazing things and we would love you to be a part of it.

I just wanted to write to you to ask you to keep us in your prayers. I reread a book this summer called “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.” Prayer is the central focus of the book and the story is told of how a tiny church in New York began prayer meetings and as a result, saw a mini-revival take place in their church, which grew from less than 20 people to thousands, with multiple congregations. Clay and I have talked often this summer of how revivals seem to take place. The all seem to start with people praying–looking to God to establish his work in and through His people who are dependent on Him. That is why I am writing to you.

So many of you were kind enough to pray for Whole Heart for the month of June and I do think the Lord heard your prayers. But for those of you who are willing to keep going, I think we may see amazing things ahead. The more I meet with families and youth, the more I see a need for God’s Spirit to sweep through our nation and bring a revival amongst our nation. I meet so many who come from broken families, children whose lives are scared, youth who are immoral–even though raised in Christian homes. We so desperately need the power of God and the movement of His spirit to bring about the change we long to see. We need Christ to be the center of all the work that we attempt in His name.

Would you join Clay and me in praying daily for forgiveness for the sin of complacency, for compromise, for idols, and for ignoring God’s voice in our lives and priorities? Would you challenge another friend to be your prayer partner in this? Also, as I have been praying, I am asking God to raise up godly leaders who are willing to give sacrificially of their time to minister to others, to have people in their homes, to teach them the word of God and to lead them to Christ. We believe God is so prepared to bless and empower those of us who are humbly dependent on Him, as Daniel was, as the first century church was as they gathered to pray and saw a movement of God in response to their humble dependence on Him.

I was talking to my son, Joel,my son who lives in Boston, recently, and he told me that he often brings up Christianity in conversations at the international house where he is living in Boston. He says there almost seems to be no interest at all. As I have been thinking about it, I feel that he needs to find another friend and spend time every day praying that the hearts of the people around him will become soft to the gospel. Only God’s spirit can really open hearts and create a renewal of life.

And so, too, I believe God wants us to pray for the seeming hard heartedness of those in our culture, media and political leadership–in every arena. God wants us to seek Him for revival and wait for it to happen.}

^{As to our own ministry, we are focussing on women, mothers, families. Feminism in our lifetime has been used by Satan to destroy the family, to destroy Biblical femininity, to devalue children, and to break the strength of family and marriage. True feminism has perpetrated the idea that women deserve to be the center of their own lives, that they are more fulfilled by living for themselves, and finding identity in their jobs apart from family, marriage and children. Feminism has also perpetrated a lie that this will make them happy and fulfilled and yet this is so untrue.}

^{God, however, established the family as the centerpiece of life in Genesis 1, before the fall. We believe that the family is the place where righteousness was to be passed down from generation to generation.

Clay and I really believe that the Lord wants us to pray to Him to lift up many women who are willing to seek God with their whole heart. to study His word, to pray and then to reach out in the spirit of Titus 2:2 to draw other women to a Biblical commitment of creating a home for Christ, where Christian leaders can be made–to love their husbands and stay faithful, to love their children and to open their home as a place of ministry. But we really believe that we need your prayers as we seek the Lord to raise up such mature women. We really believe that women returning to their God-given role is such an important part of the puzzle of returning the hearts of children toward Christ and away from the pull of culture. God has given us great freedom in our lives to live out our commitments to our families within the limitations of our

own lives. Yet so many women come from broken homes, and have a cultural perspective and values, that they need to be reached with the truth of the Word of God, and be trained and shown what a healthy family is like.

Clay and I desire to be a part of God’s redeeming families, fathers and mothers and children back to Himself, but writing, speaking, developing materials and training believers in these messages to take to new arenas.

Please join us in prayer, as we attempt our first leadership training in our home on August 5-8. Fifty-four women are coming to our home from all over the US, and China and Canada, to learn about ministry to moms. they will receive specific instruction in spiritual foundations, writing and speaking and ministry skills. We are praying that from this group, we can get our books and messages into the hands of more people, that the Holy Spirit would use these precious women to reach out to their regions, arenas, and churches to spread this message. Yet, unless the Lord “builds this house,” so to speak, we will labor in vain.

Please pray that each one who attends will have a heart to listen to the voice of God, and that in every message, the Lord will be lifted up. Please pray that God will speak through the speakers, through the times of fellowship and that His Holy Spirit will move while we are gathered in His name to start a movement of moms who will be a part of His hand to help bring revival all over the world.

Please pray also for the many women all over the world who are leading and starting new Mom Heart Groups in their churches and homes, using our books as a beginning point for studying and sharing together in these Biblical messages. Pray for them to stay strong in their walk with the Lord, to understand His calling and to have His power and wisdom in each group. We pray these groups will reach the lives of many women who hunger for leadership.

We would so appreciate your prayers, too, to pray that the Lord will raise up a staff person that He has been preparing to help coordinate this ministry amongst women, both online and to help us organize more conferences. We feel we need about $30,000 to come in to help us take care of a salary for this position as well as to help pay for some work we need to outsource in media, printing, and publishing. Clay and I have so much on our plate to do, since we have so little staff. But both of us would really like to be able to write more discipleship Bible studies and resources for families and spread our blogs and conferences to the far ends of the earth. But we are not able to get to these projects as we are working on so much administration. But we need to see it come from the hand of the Lord and we believe it will all happen in His time.

Let us all praise Him for what He has done, and then humble ourselves before His throne to ask Him to open doors for ministry, to bring His spirit’s power and truth to bear in our lives and to open the hearts of people that many many repent and accept Him as Lord and savior. I so appreciate all that you have meant to us in helping us get these messages all over the world.

May He bless you with faith, love and hope in Him today.

Clay and Sally

PS If you would join us with your family and friends, please let us know!

For those who have would like to donate online to help support this part of the ministry, please go to: www.wholeheart.org and scroll down to the bottom and press on the donate button. Many thanks for being our partner in this movement of the Lord.}

^{The following verses in Daniel 9 have been a model to me in how the Lord wants us to pray.}

¹⁵ ”Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. ¹⁶ O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

¹⁷ ”Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Filed Under: Ministry, Prayer

My Miracle Oven–an answer to prayer

July 21, 2010 by Sally 25 Comments

My wonderful miracle oven–that actually bakes and heats like ovens are supposed to do!

I have been reading lots of books all summer–trying to fill up my soul after a demanding year. One of the books I read was so encouraging to me in seeking to develop a deeper prayer life. (More on that later.)

So, of course, I have been seeking the Lord more diligently every day in worshipping Him, in seeking to see His hand in my life and thanking Him for all of His daily graces in my life. Of course my foundational prayer for many, many years, has been that my children, Clay and I, will love Him more every day, with all of our heart and serve Him faithfully until we see Him face to face. I have also been seeking Him and asking for blessing and a pouring out of His Spirit on our ministry, and on the women leading Bible studies and starting groups–and also on our leadership training coming up and my wonderful ministry team who helps in our ministry so much.

My heart has been greatly encouraged in this discipline as I really believe that it is the power of God in our lives, from being with Him, seeking Him and asking for His work in and through us that will manifest His work and ways in our lives. I am amazed that He would condescend to listen and respond and love and encourage us, as He is so holy and above us. But still, He loves to respond to us–personally, as a Father to His children–in the most minut details.

Soooo……., there was this matter of an oven. I have 54 women coming to my house in a couple of weeks for training in writing, speaking and ministry. But my small double oven is/was quite old and the top oven died a year ago. And the dilemma was that I was planning on feeding these 54 women for 3 days was looming large in my mind.

So, I read, “Pray about everything.”

“You have not because you ask not.”

“But when He comes back to the earth, will He find faith?”

“Ask in my name.”

So, I humbly asked for a double oven with a convection top so we could prepare the meals and keep them warm.

Now, Clay and I had already decided that we couldn’t afford the $2200 price of the oven from our local store. Something about having 3 older children who are still finding their way through school, and all have cars and insurance and medical issues and just life, with a new driver in the making! You know the issues.

“My God shall supply your needs according to His riches.”

So, we prayed. And we asked our ministry team here in town to pray with us.

Out of the clear blue sky, one day, I found a check in a letter in the mail. A friend of our ministry, all the way across the United States, sent me a check for $300 and said, “I am not there to help you prepare for the intensive training coming up, so use this check for something in your house as you get ready for the women to come.I felt like I needed to send this to you.”

Meanwhile, Clay began to look for an oven in Craig’s list, because of a friend’s advice who had been at the prayer dinner at our home, when we prayed for the leadership conference coming up. So under “appliances”, nothing came up. But, under “garage sale”, he found a less than two year old, 30 inch double oven, convection on top, oven on bottom. And less than ten minutes from our home. We called and went to the home of the man who had advertised.

A beloved friend, a board member, who just “happened” to be in the area (from North Carolina) went with us to look. Because He oversees construction for a major restaurant business all over the United States, he knows building and kitchens and ovens and such. He went with us to give us his expert advice on whether we could fit it in the space where our 26 inch oven had been.

Turns out, the man selling the oven was a believer and knew mutual friends of ours that we worked with in ministry. The oven was like new and seemed to be calling out, “Sally, take me. I’m yours!”

Clay inquired, “What price would you ask for the oven?”

“Well, since you all are in ministry, I think I would like to get $300 for it?” –the exact price I had received a check for in the mail. And when we asked him the specs of the oven, it would fit into the space in our kitchen within an eighth of an inch!

And so a week after we began praying, we have our miracle oven right in my kitchen–a picture of God’s sweet provision and grace.

And, by the way, when the installer came to our home, who had been recommended by a friend who builds cabinets, he just happened to be a young man, who had 3 very small children and whose wife had just begun to homeschool–who needed some advice and encouragement and support group.

So God linked us with a believer with an oven and an installer who just happened to need help that we were so blessed to be able to give. So fun to see His hand at work.

If He would care that I have an oven to cook in for my leadership conference, what else might He be willing to answer as I pray for Him to bring about His power in and amongst us in our Kingdom work amongst families, mothers and children? Hmmmm…… I just can’t wait to see what is ahead!

Filed Under: Ponderings, Prayer, Trust in God

Asking God to turn the world upside down…….

June 2, 2010 by Sally 19 Comments

The Clarkson’s Christmas picture 2009

My Sweet Blog Friends,

Clay and I and our precious children started a ministry by faith about 16 years ago. We saw the break-up of families and the scars on the hearts of so many young adults and the Lord put it on our heart to start a ministry to train families to disciple their children, to cultivate a healthy marriage, to engage their hearts in being responsible for the moral training, the emotional health and the educational excellence of their children. We went almost 5 years without a salary hoping to get this ministry up and on its feet. Our children have traveled the world with us, worked at conferences, hauled boxes of books, prayed for hours at a time, and worked in our little office–with a hope and prayer that the Lord would use our family to somehow impact the world for Christ and to bring spiritual reality and health to countless families all over the world.

God has amazingly answered our prayers and provided us abundantly with opportunities to impact the world with these messages. As Clay and I approach new phases in our ministry and publishing, we want to be first before the Lord–asking Him for His direction, guidance, blessing and provision. But it is not our ministry, it is the team effort of thousands of families all over the world.

We need you to help us at the crucial time in history. Would you join with us in praying for Whole Heart for the month of June? We would so appreciate it. The following is the prayer letter that went out to our list. We believe that as parents embrace these messages, the world will indeed be changed for eternity. May God give all of us grace to endure and carry our ideals to the end, energy for the task, spiritual maturity to hear His voice and to have His perspective, and love to redeem many back from a broken world. May we finish faithfully. Thanks for being a part of our prayer call. Please help us pass the word to your friends.

Dear Friends, June 1, 2010

I am so blessed to have a group of Whole Heart Prayer Warriors join us in
our ministry as we continue to seek God’s favor and will in reaching
families all over the world.

I have been convicted in my quiet time to persevere in prayer in a new way
and to step out in faith in believing God for bigger answers to prayer. “You
have not because you ask not,” as well as, “When I come back to the earth,
will I find faith.”

In light of this, our team here in Colorado Springs is praying that we could
find 100 people who would be willing to pray for us every day the month of
June. I know it is a busy time for families as they go on vacations, but if
you would be willing to pray for even a portion of that time, and join us as
a team of people willing to go before the throne of God, we would be most
grateful. I will be doing a short video message to encourage you along the
way in another week or so, but just wanted to see if we could get started in
lifting up our vision and prayers to God together for the next 30-40 days!
Please email us if you are willing to be a part of this team!

First of all, praise God because He is worthy. Praise Him as the God who
reigns, the loving Father who has compassion, the Savior, the One who leads
us in all truth. Praise Him from your heart.

1. Praise God for what He has accomplished–thousands upon thousands
reached through our books, conferences, tapes and dvds. Books in 5 different
languages, faithful financial support for 15 years! (8 books written, 2 more old classics in print, 12 years of conference cd’s, blogs, websites, and more!)

2. Pray for Him to bless us more than ever before:
*to put our books and messages into the hands of literally hundreds
of thousands in the next year
*to raise up leaders who are willing to train and disciple women in
small groups in churches and homes (this is happening in so many areas.)

*We need around $50,000 to bring in new staff to run the
Mom Heart Ministry website, conferences, blogs and small groups

*We need the right person who would fill these staff positions

*We want to see a revival amongst families, as the Holy Spirit
creates a hunger these messages and for committing to the Biblical
Design of the Home and family

*We want to see a publisher and distributor raised up in the Spanish
Speaking World, who could get some of our books in print for them

*Pray for Clay and me as we continue to write new books and
discipleship products and Bible study guides–that we would have physical,
emotional, and spiritual strength, as well as wisdom to do all that God has called us to do.

*And please pray for Him to continue to raise up more helpers and support systems for us as we work, to help us (Aarons and Hurs)

*Pray for all of our children in our families to respond to our
training (I believe my children are always a point of attack when we are trying to teach about the area of a Biblical family) and to become godly leaders in their generation

(this is for you to
pray for your children and their friends!)

We are so blessed to have been a part of what He is doing in the world. We
are amazed at our opportunities and how the Lord continues to bless, but we
want to seek and please Him.

Thanks for joining us. We need to storm the gates of heaven and fight our
spiritual opponents together. We look so forward to seeing the Lord
glorified and to see Him working in new ways. We are asking Him to turn our world upside down as he did through the first century disciples–wouldn’t it be exciting to be a part of a movement of God!

We are so grateful to all of you who have given financially, prayed for us,
attended a conference, given a book, helped by teaching groups, or served in
any way. What a privilege to be a part of such an amazing team of families.
May He bless you today. Much love and appreciation.

Many blessings to you all.
Love,
Clay and Sally

Please leave a comment if you are willing to be a part of our call to prayer! We so appreciate all of you.

Filed Under: Ministry, Prayer

The Secret of a blessed life……….

June 1, 2010 by Sally 4 Comments

I am always the one who benefits the most when I have to teach or speak or have devotions with my children or be accountable to anyone in any way. It forces me to grow when I have to be responsible for truth and the word of God.

Many people have asked me over the years, “How did you raise your children to love the Lord, to stay morally pure, to love you and to want to serve His kingdom? What exactly did you do–tell me exact principles; show me the books you read and followed; what curriculum did you use?”

I also have sought answers to my mysteries and responsibilities over the years. I think that wise women always seek wisdom from other wise women.

But I learned so much from writing my book, Dancing With My Father. I studied David’s life and pondered it and learned so many spiritual secrets. Yes, David did a lot of foolish things and yet, God says, “He was a man after my heart,” and this pleased God.

David, of course, first learned to love and write songs about God and trust Him when no one was looking, out in the fields. And by God’s power, in this hidden place, he practiced faithfulness and stepped out in faith and strength and killed a lion and a bear.

Then, after having developed a faithful heart, came against Goliath, “in the name of the Lord of Hosts” and by faith, slung his stone and downed a super enemy.

But then, after being anointed as king, he was on the run and in battle for over 20 years. And yet still, in this, kept a humble heart and trusted God. But, finally when he was king over both kingdoms, we find His secret.

He did not want to rule unless the ark of the covenant was present in the land–because David did not want to be the authority over the kingdoms–He wanted God, His presence, His voice, His blessing, His companionship. He wanted the Lord God be be on His throne in their midst.

And herein lies the secret, God in the center, God as the source, God as the Truth and message of our lives, God as the guide, God as the provider, God as the one who will accomplish His will. Our heart engaging in loving Him, seeking Him, bowing our knee to His will, not matter what, honoring Him in front of our children, family, friends, every day, in spite of our blunders and vulnerability–a life of faith and love and obedience–centered on Him.

David led the Levites to sing and share in this message as he called the ark of the Lord, forward before all the Israelites.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples, Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;

Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek HIs Face continually.” I Chronicles 16: 8-11

In the midst of our intensive, purposeful time together the past few weeks, Joy asked me, “Mom, what do you really want from us as children when you say you want us to be godly? What, in your heart, is what you really mean when you think about your goal for us as your children?”

I thought a few seconds and then said, “Joy, I want you to know God in all of His love, beauty and glory and truth. To know His love for you, to know His direction for you, and in truly knowing Him, to learn to love Him with all of your heart, to walk with Him, to seek Him. If you find God and love Him and engage your heart you will find all that you need for every other area of your life–strength, wisdom, love, comfort, guidance, peace–He is the source of all that you will ever need.”

Our goal for our children is not for them to be good–they and we will never be good enough–only He is good. But if we know and understand Him and serve Him, “all these things will be added to us,” and we will have all that we need. God desires above all, that we have a cherished relationship with Him and that we love and serve Him from our heart.

And so we seek to know, love and serve God with our whole hearts in front of everyone in our lives, depending on His strength, His grace, His love. Anything less than this is not worthy of our life’s work.

What do your children think is your goal for them? By what goals are you living? What is the world’s measure of success in life? What is God’s measure of success–”Do do justice, to love kindness, to walk humbly with our God.”

May He give us the grace to remain faithful to the important priorities of His heart.

**********************************************************

In light of our understanding that God is the source of our strength, wisdom, messages and blessing, we at Whole Heart and Mom Heart, are spending the month of June to praise God, seek His face and His blessing and guidance for us as a ministry. Our goal is to help women all over the world know and understand God, and then in understanding the Biblical design of family, to understand how to pass on this knowledge and love of God to their children in building a godly heritage. We are partners with families all over the world who are seeking to make this message known.

We are asking God to raise up 100 people who are willing to pray with us for His favor and guidance during the month of June. If you are willing to be a part of our prayer 100, please write to admin@wholeheart.org to let us know you are joining with us. The next post I send on this blog will be our prayer letter.

We are so grateful to all of you who have given financially, prayed for us, attended a conference, given a book, helped by teaching groups, or served in any way. What a privilege to be a part of such an amazing team of families. May He bless you today. Much love and appreciation.